First lady Michelle Obama joined University of Wisconsin students in a conference call yesterday evening in an effort to encourage increased participation and voter turnout in the upcoming presidential campaign.
Wisconsin State Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, also joined the progressive students at the event to listen to Obama, give tips and inspiration to students on how they can get involved and encourage more students to volunteer in the Democratic campaign.
“Because of the investments we’ve made to raise standards in our schools and make college more affordable, more young Americans like you can pursue their dreams and fulfill their potential, and be all that they can be,” Obama said.
Obama’s re-election campaign headquarters in Chicago arranged the conference call at UW, Young Progressives President Sam Gehler said, because Wisconsin students traditionally work hard for the campaign.
“The student atmosphere at the event was filled with excitement,” Gehler said. “The fact that the first lady called our campus out of all the other campuses in the state means a lot to us. I can’t describe how grateful we are.”
In her 30-minute phone call, Obama said it was important for students to get involved in the campaign because it would empower them to advocate for themselves.
Gehler said work students do before the summer is critical to re-electing President Obama and to keeping Wisconsin’s tradition of democracy strong.
A large number of new club members turned out to the event, Gehler said. The conference also saw a strong turnout from its current members, showing a new flow of energy from the campaign, he said.
“I was fortunate enough to be able to ask first lady Michelle Obama a question, so I asked her for additional tips on how students could get involved,” Gehler said. “She responded that students should join the school organizations and get involved with local field organizations.”
Fifty-eight students signed up to volunteer with the Young Progressives at the end of the event, Gehler said.
“This was a great opportunity but it was just a kick start to our campaign,” said Gehler. “We have big events planned in the next month, including students going door to door, making calls and volunteers all over the place.”
In an email to The Badger Herald, College Republicans President Jeff Snow said while there is an opposing side wanting to defeat President Obama, they have yet to find the right candidate.
While the event, hosted by UW Students for Barack Obama, was publicized across campus, the call was not open to members of the press because members of the Obama campaign were worried news coverage would make new people joining the organization apprehensive, Morris said.
Gillian Morris, from Obama for America Wisconsin Chapter, said it is common practice for volunteer events to be private and off the record.
“This was an event that was supposed to be about getting people excited and riled up,” Morris said.. “There was no exact reason it was closed. … It’s not that we were excluding anyone. It was just off the record.”